Oh, the sad little mall bar.
There you sit glumly next to a nail spa and shoe outlet, hoping the rental cops
will work harder at keeping those damn Hot Topic kids away. Yes, you sad,
pathetic, wannabe – wait, what? Red Star Tavern at the Fashion Square Mall in
Décor: Sure, it may seem cheesy, but one of the benefits of Red Star Tavern’s location is that there’s never a lack of free parking. Inside has a seating arrangement that’s a nice blend of bar and restaurant, with smaller tables and booths lining the perimeter of a large bar. Though it’s is a chain it doesn’t flaunt this by wallpapering the walls with the contents of a failed garage sale like other restaurant-bar chains, opting instead for tasteful brick-like tile and soft pastels. A covered outdoor patio provides a view of the parking lot and keeps smokers dry when it’s raining.
The Bar: If you open a restaurant and you reference drinking in the name you’d better deliver on that promise (ahem, Steak & Ale), and Red Star Tavern does so in spades. A full bar boasting an impressive whiskey collection, a creative martini list, and about twenty different beers on tap are more than you’d get from some straight-up bars around town. Also, unlike many restaurants, Red Star doesn’t apply tax to your drinks, meaning you can leave your change at home (or save it for the gumball machine in the mall).
Glasses of wine are a decent $6.50 to $11, and while it’s not an extensive list the average wino will at least find their favorite color. The best part of visiting Red Star is that the gods of cheapskate drinking have smiled upon you. First, happy hour is observed every day. Second, happy hour happens twice, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and then again from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. The best part: everything on tap is $2. This includes imports like Paulaner Hefeweizen, Guinness, and Dos Equis as well as craft brews like Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. There’s also $2 Three Olives, Jack Daniels, and Captain Morgan mixers and $2 Long Island Iced Teas. That this happens during regular drinking hours is all the more reason to just suck it up and go to the mall already.
Sounds: Unfortunately, not everything about a mall bar can break the mold: Red Star pumps in some plain ol’ easy listening over the speakers, guaranteeing that you’re going to shame yourself by singing along to something during the night.
Crowd: The more people find out about Red Star’s happy hour special, the younger they tend to be, but so far crowding is minimal.
Service: The bartenders are young, quick, and surprisingly knowledgeable about their drinks and beers, and aren’t shy about chatting some drinking theory with you.
